2 Maccabees 14 — Greek text and reception

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After a period of three years, word reached Judas and his men that Demetrius son of Seleucus had sailed into the harbor at Tripolis with a strong force and a fleet,

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had gained control of the country, and had done away with Antiochus and his guardian Lysias.

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A certain Alcimus, who had formerly been high priest but had willingly defiled himself during the times of separation, realized that there was no way for him to obtain deliverance or regain access to the holy altar.

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About the one hundred fifty-first year he came to King Demetrius, bringing him a golden crown and a palm, and also some of the customary temple branches. That day he remained quiet.

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He found an opportunity to assist his own folly when Demetrius summoned him to a council and asked what disposition and policy the Jews had adopted. He answered,

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“Those Jews called Hasideans, whose leader is Judas Maccabeus, foster war and rebellion, preventing the kingdom from obtaining stability.

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Therefore, having been deprived of my ancestral honor—I mean the high priesthood—I have now come here,

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first because I am sincerely concerned for the king's interests, and second because I seek the good of my own fellow citizens. For through the thoughtlessness of the aforesaid men, our whole people suffer no small misfortune.

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Now that you know each of these things, O king, take thought for the country and our distressed people, in accordance with your readily bestowed humanity toward everyone.

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For as long as Judas survives, public affairs cannot find peace.”

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When he had said such things, the other friends who were hostile to Judas quickly inflamed Demetrius further.

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He immediately selected Nicanor, the former commander of the elephants, appointed him governor of Judea, and sent him out,

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with orders to kill Judas himself, scatter those with him, and appoint Alcimus high priest of the greatest temple.

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The nations in Judea who had driven Judas into exile joined Nicanor in crowds, thinking the Jews' misfortunes and disasters would become their own successes.

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When Judas's men heard of Nicanor's advance and the attack of the nations, they sprinkled earth on themselves and entreated the One who established His own people forever and always assists His own portion by a manifestation.

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When their leader gave the command, he immediately set out from there and met them at a village called Dessau.

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Simon, Judas's brother, had engaged Nicanor, but had faltered for a time because of the opponents' sudden silence.

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Nevertheless, Nicanor heard of the courage of Judas's men and their spirit in struggles for their homeland, and was wary of deciding the matter through bloodshed.

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Therefore he sent Posidonius, Theodotus and Mattathias to give and receive pledges.

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After prolonged consideration of these matters, the leader consulted the multitudes. A unanimous opinion emerged, and they consented to the agreements.

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They appointed a day on which they would meet privately in the same place. A chariot came forward from each side, and they set out seats.

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Judas stationed armed men ready at strategic places, lest the enemy suddenly attempt some treachery. They held an appropriate conference.

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Nicanor remained in Jerusalem and did nothing out of place; he dismissed the crowds that had assembled in throngs.

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He kept Judas continually in his presence, having become deeply attached to the man.

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He urged him to marry and have children. Judas married, settled down and shared in ordinary life.

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Alcimus saw their goodwill toward one another and obtained the agreements they had made. He went to Demetrius and said that Nicanor's intentions were disloyal to the government, for he had appointed Judas, the kingdom's conspirator, as his successor.

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The king became furious and, provoked by the thoroughly wicked man's slanders, wrote to Nicanor, declaring his distress over the agreements and ordering him to send Maccabeus in chains to Antioch immediately.

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When these instructions reached Nicanor, he was dismayed and distressed at the prospect of annulling the settlement when the man had done no wrong.

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But since he could not oppose the king, he watched for a suitable moment to accomplish this by stratagem.

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Maccabeus saw that Nicanor was dealing more harshly with him and that their customary meeting had become less courteous. Recognizing that the harshness had no good cause, he gathered not a few of his men and concealed himself from Nicanor.

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The other man realized that Judas had skillfully outmaneuvered him. He went to the greatest and holy temple while the priests were offering the required sacrifices and ordered them to hand over the man.

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When they declared with oaths that they did not know where the man being sought was,

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he stretched his right hand toward the temple and swore, “Unless you hand Judas over to me in chains, I will make this enclosure of God a level plain, tear down the altar, and erect here a splendid temple for Dionysus.”

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Having said this, he departed. The priests stretched their hands toward heaven and called upon the One who continually defends our nation, saying,

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“You, Lord of all, have need of nothing, yet You were pleased that a temple for Your dwelling should come into being among us.

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And now, holy Lord of all sanctification, preserve this recently purified house undefiled forever.”

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A certain Razis, one of Jerusalem's elders, was reported to Nicanor: a man who loved his fellow citizens, was very well spoken of, and because of his goodwill was called a father of the Jews.

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For in the earlier times of separation he had incurred a judgment for Judaism, risking both body and soul for Judaism with complete earnestness.

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Nicanor, wishing to make his hostility toward the Jews evident, sent more than five hundred soldiers to arrest him,

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for he thought that by arresting him he would inflict a disaster upon them.

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As the multitudes were about to take the tower, forcing the courtyard door and ordering fire to be brought to set the doors alight, Razis, surrounded, thrust his sword into himself,

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wishing to die nobly rather than fall under the power of the accursed men and be outraged in a manner unworthy of his own nobility.

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But because of the haste of the struggle he did not strike accurately. As the crowds rushed inside the doorways, he ran bravely up onto the wall and hurled himself courageously down into the crowds.

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They quickly drew back, leaving a space, and he fell into the middle of the empty area.

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Still breathing and burning with anger, he rose. Although his blood streamed out and his wounds were grievous, he ran through the crowds and stood on a projecting rock.

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By now entirely drained of blood, he pulled out his entrails, took them in both hands and hurled them at the crowds. Calling upon the Master of life and spirit to give these back to him again, he departed in this manner.